Breeding-crate



J. c. SCHULZ.

BREEDING CRATE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 11. 1920- Y Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

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BREEDING CRATE- APPLICATION men OCT. 11, 1920.

1,389,993. 9 PatentedSept. 6,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

M4 at 5921/ PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN c. soH Lz or STOCKPORT, IOWA.

BREEDING-CRATE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 6, 1921.

Application filed October 11, 1920. Serial No. 416,023.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. SoHULz, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Stockport, in the county of Van Buren and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Breeding-Crate, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a breeding crate of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

More particularly it is my object to provide in such a device a holding means for engaging the sides of one of the begs for holding her in position, and preventing any sideward movement.

Another object is to provide a supporting device capable of adjustment and adapted to be received under the belly of a hog for preventing her from lying down, while she is being bred.

Still another object is to provide a movable stop member, which is designed to rest against the rear legs of the sow for preventing any movement of her hind legs and for holding her hind quarters against the pair of top members.

Still another object is to provide in such a crate a forward and rear door, capable of being adjusted relative to each other, whereby sows of various sizes may be held in said crate.

Still another object is to provide a pair of supporting platforms, capable of being moved relative to each other, so that hogs of various sizes may be used.

Still a further object is to provide a platform for supporting the front legs of the boar while being used, and thus not placing any weight upon the sow.

With these and other objects in view, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation ofmy device.

Fig. 2 i a central, sectional view through the same.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of my crate.

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation.

Fig. 5 is a central, sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 and showing the supporting platform of my crate.

Fig. 6 is a detailed, sectional view taken on'the line 6 6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a detailed, sectional view of the latch device for holding one of the door members in any of its adjusted positions.

Figs. 9 and 10 are detailed views, showing how the adjustment of the belly support may be made.

Fig, 11 is a sectional view through'one of the side engaging members; and

Fig. 12 is a detail view, showing how the forward door or gate member may be locked in any adjusted positions.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally a pair of cross members,to which are fixed upright supports 11, 12, 13 and 14. The supports 11, 13 and 14 are placed near the ends of the cross pieces 10 and are comparatively of the same height, while the supports 12 are somewhat shorter and have their upper endsconnected by a cross bar 15.

Fixed between the upright supports 11 and 12 are the slats 16, which are spaced apart and tend to form a crate member.

The slats 16 are fixed to the members 11 and 12 on the inside, thereof. Extending clear acros are the cross pieces 17, which are fixed to the outside of the upright members.

The two upright posts 11 and the two upright posts 14 are connected together on their lower edges by means of the bars 18, which hold the sides formed by the various I members apart.

Pivoted to the uprights 11 near their lower edges thereof is a floor member 19.

Openings 20 are provided in the lower ends of the uprights 11, so that the pivot on the movable fioor 19 may be adjusted, when desired.

Mounted on the pivoted floor 19'is a sliding platform 21, which is provided with a notch 22 in its rear edge, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

An upper cross piece member 23 is fixed to the uprights 11 and 12, while'a member 24 is fixed to the uprights and below the member 23. The member 24 is provided with a flange 25, so that it is substantially L-shaped in cross section, the flanges 25 being provided with a plurality of notches 26.

wheels 33.

The upper member 23 is provided with a plurality of openings 27 'A door A, which is the forward door, is provided, which is pivoted "in one of the openings 27. The door A comprises a pair of spaced uprights 28, which are connected at their upper and lower ends by cross pieces 29. One of the cross pieces 29, which is fixed near the upper end of the uprights 28, is provided with a rearwardly extending flange 30. The flange 30 is provided with an opening which may register with any one of the openings 27, so as to receive a bolt or-somo other suitable pivot.

From' the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen that when the door 7 A is pivoted, the lower end may beswung outwardly or inwardly, as desired.

In order to raise the door after it is once adjusted, I have provided a cable or rope 31, which is fixed to a pair of levers 32 at its lower end and passes around the pulley Each of the levers 32 is pivoted to one of the cross pieces 29 at 34, and is provided with a portion 35, which is designed to be received in the notches 26 on the flange 25.

3 of the drawings.

Guide devices 36 are provided for limiting the pivotal movement of the levers 32. Coil springs 37 are fixed to the le vers 32, which tend to hold the portions inengagement with the notches 26.

From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen that'by pulling the rope 33 that the portions 35 of the levers 32 will'be released from engagement with the notches, so that the door A will be swung forwardly, so that a hog, which is within the crate may pass out.

The door'A is provided with stanchion members 38, which are pivoted at their lower ends and are fixed at their upper ends by means of a pin 39, which maybe extended through any of the openings 40. Pivoted to the spaced uprights 28 and extending rearwardly therefrom is a head rest member 41, which is"provided with a yoke portion 42. A pair of pivoted notched members 43 extend through guides 44 on the spaced uprights 28 as shown in Figs. 2 and The notches engage coacting devices, so that the head rest may be moved to any desired position and locked in that'position.

It will be understood that the head rest will pass over the sow directly back of itsears and prevent it from raising its head.

A rear door B is provided, which comprises a series of parallel slat members 44 The slat members 44 are provided with upright angle bars 45, which rest against the inner surface of the upright 14. The ends of the slats 44 are received between the uprights 13 and 14 and are freeto slide therein.

From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen that I have provided a rear door, which'may be raised or lowered, as desired.

In order to raise the door, I have provided a cable 46, which passes around a pulley 47.

In order to lock the door 13 in any of its raised positions, I have provided the following locking mechanism.

Fixed to the uprights 13 and 14 is a latch device 48, which has fixed to it a hinge member 49 and a latch 50. A spring 51 tends to force the hinge member inwardly. The latch member is received below the under side of one of the slats'44 A short cable 52 'is connected to the hinge member 49, so that the latch. 50 may be withdrawnagainst the action of the spring 51 for permitting the door B to be lowered. The latch 50 is so provided that the door may be raised independent of the position of the latch device.

Extending across andfixed to the uprights 11, 13 and 14 is a framework 53, which tends to reinforce and give rigidity to the frame, which forms the crate.

Fixed to the floor 19 and in the bearings 54 is the crank shaft 55, which is provided with a handle 56. 7

Fixed to the rear edge of the floor 19 and in the bearing member 57 is the upwardly extending yoke 58, which is provided with a series of small openings 59. The upper ends of the yoke 58 arecurved upwardly and outwardly, as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings. v

Fixed to the upper end of the crank and pivoted thereto is a'belly supporting member 60. The rear end ofthe supporting member 60 is provided with the loop 61, through which is extended the short bar'62, which has each of its ends curved, so as to form an eye, which receives the upright members of the yoke 58.

The bar 62 may be slid vertically on the yoke 58 and locked inany position by inserting a pin through any one of the openings 59.

From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen that the belly supporting member is pivoted, so that it may be moved forward, so that it will lie substantially upon the floor and remain parallel therewith. v

A catch device 63 is provided on the' framework of the crate, which locks the lever 56 against movement, thus holding the belly support when once raised in that position. g

In Fig. 9 of the drawings, I have shown the construction used for fastening the member60 to' the crank'55. In this construction a pair of plates 64 are fixed to the member 60, and are provided with'a series of openings 65. The upper end of the crank is received between the plates 64 and may be secured thereto by inserting a pin or the like through any of the registering openings 65.

From the construction of the belly sup-- porting member, it will be seen that I have provided a device, which may be adjusted to any height that is desired.

It will be understood that when a hog is driven into the crate for breeding purposes, it is necessary to keep her in such position, that will. be best suited for that purpose.

The belly supporting member, when in its raised position, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, will prevent the sow from lying down.

The upper curved portions of the yoke 58 are designed to rest against the hind quarters of the sow directly behind its legs .and prevent her from any rearward movement. 1

Fixed on the movable platform 21 is a pivoted stop device 66, which is pivoted in bearings 67. A notched bar 68 is fixed to the movable platform 21 and is designed to receive and engage the yoke 69, which is pivoted to the stop device 66. The stop device 66 is designed to rest against the hind quarters of the sow, the upper portion of the yoke 58 and the stop device 66 forming a positive holding device for the hind legs of the sow and preventing any movement thereof.

A lever 70 is pivoted to the floor 19 and is connected by means of a link 71 to the movable platform 21. A notched sector 72 on the floor 19 is designed to coact with a spring actuated plunger device 73 on the lever 70.

It will be understood that when the lever 70 is swung on its pivot, it will cause the movable platform 21 to be moved rear- Wardly or forwardly as desired.

- In Fig. 5 of the drawings, the movable platform 21 is shown at its forward limit of movement.

It will be understood that the support 66 may be swung to position, where it will be substantially parallel with the movable platform 21, as can the belly support 60.

When both of these members are in their down position and the rear door B in its raised position, a sow may be driven lnto the crate. Then the belly supporting member is raised until it engages the belly of the hog. The support 66 is then moved to position shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Then the operation of the lever 7 0 will cause the entire platform 21, together with the support 66 to be moved rearwardly.

The rear legs of the hog being on this platform, it will tend to move her rearwardlv sothat her hind quarters will rest againstthe upper ends of the yoke 56. When the hog has been moved to this posi- .tion the support 66 may be adjusted, if it ment of the sow, I have provided side engaging members, which are pivoted to the uprights 12 and 13.

The side engaging members are substantially channel-shaped in cross section, as shown in Fig. 11 of the drawings.

The character C indicates the side engaging members.

Links 74 are pivotally connected to the side engaging members C. Crank shafts 76 are journaled in bearings 77 on the uprights 12 and 13. The crank shafts 76 pass through the other end of the links 74. i

The crank shafts 76 are provided with links '78, which are connected to a lever 7 9.

In order to operate both sides of the side engaging members, a shaft 80 is provided which extends between the two uprights 12,

making it possible to operate both of the crank shafts 76 in unison the lever 79.

The lever 79 is provided with a guide portion 81, in which is received the curved bar 62 provided with the openings 83, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The guide device 81 and the lever 79 are provided with registering openings, which register with the openings 83 in the bar 82.

It will be seen that by operation of the lever 7 9 that the side engaging members C will be moved inwardly or outwardly as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 11 of the draw lIl S.

When the side engaging members are brought to operative position, that is moved to position where they engage the sides of a hog within the crate, a pin 84: may be extended through the registering openings within the guide and lever 79 and the openings 83 for locking the side engaging members in any desired position.

From the construction of the parts just described, it will be seen that I have provided a device that will engage the sides of a hog and prevent any sideward movement thereby.

The entire floor 19 is pivoted at its forward end, and is capable of having its rear end raised or lowered, and in order to accomplish the raising of the device, I have provided a pair of long links 85, which are fixed to a cross rod 86, which extends below the floor 19. The upper ends of the links 85 are fixed to a shaft 87, which is provided with crank portions thereon.

The shaft 87 has fixed to it on one end a ratchet 88. A hand lever 89 is loosely mounted on the shaft 87 adjacent to the ratchet 88, and is provided with a ratchet engaging device 90, which is yieldingly held in engagement by means of the spring 91.

by operation of A pawl 92 is yieldingly held in engagement with the ratchet 88 by means of a spring 93.

It will be understood that when it is desired to raise the entire rear end of the 7 platform or floor 19, that it is necessary to operate or swing the hand lever 89, the pawl 92 holding the parts in their raised position. G

A link 94: is pivoted in between its ends to the upright member 13 and has each of its ends in turn pivoted to links 95 and 96. The link 96 is fixed to the platform 19. The lower end of the link 95 is fixed toa boar platform 97, which extends rearwardly from ihe main frame or crate.

It will be understood that when the fioor 1.) is raised, it will cause the boar platform to be lowered or when the platform 19 is lowered, the boar platfornr)? will be raised.

It will be seen that by making the platform 9%" adjustable that I am able to use hogs of various sizes.

it will be noted that I have provided a device capable of adjustment, so that any size hogs may be used with each other.

Some of the advantages of my device are that I am able to properly adjust and regulate the entire device from the outside thereof, and that I am able to hold the sow within the crate and prevent her from either lying down or moving her rear legs forwardly, and thus preventing her use.

The channel-shaped portions on the side engaging members C are provided with the flat upper surfaces 98, which is used for supporting the forward legs of the boar, so that practically no weight will come on the back of the sow.

Having the platform 19 inclined from front to rear makes it possible to have the hind quarters of the sow raised above its head, thus making her use much easier.

Some changes may be made in the arangement and construction of the various parts of my device, without departing from the essential features and purposes of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalentsnvhich may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A breeding crate including a floor pivoted at one end and capable of being locked in any of its pivoted positions, a door at either end of said crate, one of saiddoors having a head rest pivoted thereto for engaging the head of a hog, means for locking 'said head rest in any of its positions, a

belly supporting member on saidfioor, and

'means for engaging the sides of a hog for preventing any side movement of the hog.

2. A breeding crate including a floor pivoted at one end and capable of being locked in any of its pivoted positions, a door at either-end of said crate, oneof said doors having a head rest pivoted thereto for en-' gagingthe head of a hog, said head rest being adjustable and capable of being locked in any of its adjustedpositions, a belly supporting member on-said floor, and means for engaging the sides of a hog for preventing any side movement of the hog, said last means being capable of adjustment in hog for preventing any side movement of the hog, said last means being capable of adjustment inorder to engage hogs of various sizes, and means for looking it in its ad usted position.

4. A breeding crate including a floor pivoted at one end and'capable of being locked in any of its pivoted positions, a door at either end of said crate, a platform on said floor adapted to move longitudinally thereon, means for engaging the hind legs of a hog mounted on said platform and capable of being adjusted to various positions for engaging hogs of various sizes, said floor being provided with a belly support capable of being raised or lowered, means for looking said belly support in its raised position, a lever for moving said platform, and means for locking said platform'in any of its adjusted positions. 7

5. A breeding crateincluding a floor pivoted at one end and capable of being locked in any of, its pivotedpositions, a door at either end of said crate, a platform on said floor adapted to move longitudinally thereon, said floor being provided with a belly support having a member at its rear end for engaging the hind quarters of a hog for preventing its rearward movement, and a movable stop device on said platform adapted torest against the hind legs of a hog for preventing its movement as and for the purposes stated.

6. A breeding crate including a floor pivoted at one end and capable of being locked in any of its pivoted positions, a door at either end of said crate, a platform on said floor adapted to move longitudinally thereon, means for engaging the hind legs of a hog mounted on said platform, said floor being provided with a belly supportcapable of being-raised or lowered, means for looking said belly support in its raised position,

said belly support being capable of vertical adjustment, so that it may support hogs of various heights, side engaging members adapted to engage the sides of a hog for preventing any movement of the hog.

7. A breeding crate including a floor pivoted at one end and capable of being locked in any of its pivoted positions, a second floor pivoted to the rear end of said first floor and to operate therewith, the parts being so arranged that the raising of one floor will lower the other or vice versa as desired, each of said floors being adapted to support a hog, said first floor being provided with a belly supporting member for supporting a hog, side engaging members adapted to en gage the hog on said first floor, and means for preventing movement of the hind legs of the hog on said first floor, said last means including a yoke device designed to engage the hind quarters and a member designed to engage the hind legs of a hog, said side engaging members being provided with a rest device for partially supporting the hog on said second floor. V

8. In a breeding crate a frame for inclosing a hog, provided with doors at either end, a head rest pivoted to one of said doors and adapted to engage the head of the hog for preventing its movement, said rest being capable of movementto various positions, and means for locking said head rest in any of its adjusted positions, means for engaging the hind quarters of the hog and for engaging its hind legs for preventing any movement of its hind legs, as and for the purposes stated.

9. In a breeding crate a frame for inclosing a hog, provided with doors at either end, a head rest pivoted to one of said doors and adapted to engage the head of the hog for preventing its movement, said rest being capable of movement to various'positions, and means for locking said head rest in any of its adjusted positions, means for engaging the hind quarters of the hog and for engaging its hind legs, for preventing any movement of its hind legs, and a belly supporting member hingedly fixed to the floor of said frame and adapted when in operative position to rest against the belly of the hog, said belly supporting member being capable of vertical adjustment for supporting hogs of various sizes, the belly supporting member being capable of movement to position where it will be substantially parallel to the floor of the frame for permitting entrance of the hog into the crate.

10. A breeding crate including a floor pivoted at one end and capable of being locked in any of its pivoted positions, a door at either end of said crate, a platform on said floor adapted to move longitudinally thereon, said floor being provided with a belly support having a member at its rear end for engaging the hind quarters of a hog for preventing its rearward movement, and a movable stop device hingedly fixed on said platform and capable of being locked in any of its adjusted positions whereby it may be moved to position where it will rest against the hind legs of the hog for preventing its movement as and for the purposes stated.

Des Moines, Iowa, October 2, 1920.

JOHN C. SCHULZ. 

